To what extent does plasticity of dipterocarp seedlings affect growth and survival in the tropical rainforest environment?
To what extent does plasticity of dipterocarp seedlings affect growth and survival in the tropical rainforest environment? 050139246 The Journal of Ecology (September 2007) To what extent does plasticity of dipterocarp seedlings affect growth and survival in the tropical rainforest environment? Abstract This study focused on survival and growth of three dipterocarp seedlings in exposed areas compared with shaded areas of the tropical rainforest, in order to determine the role plasticity plays in this. All species of dipterocarp seedlings showed some degree of morphological plasticity in response to the different environments. Each of the three dipterocarp species showed equal plasticity in terms morphological traits when subjected to different light conditions. Chlorophyll content was found to be a genetic trait rather than a trait of plasticity. Herbivory was also found to be determined by species rather than environment. Damage by herbivores was found to play a larger role in plant growth and survival than anticipated, perhaps more so than plasticity. Further study is required to determine the extent herbivory affects the growth and survival of these seedlings. Introduction The importance of tropical rainforests and their role in supporting much of the world's biodiversity is widely acknowledged, yet there is worldwide concern over the consequences of human
The Effect of Stomata Opening on Plant Transpiration
The Effect of Covered Stomata on Plant Transpiration Nezar Alsaeedi IB Biology Higher Year 1 Mr. Connors May 7, 2005 Abstract: The purpose of this study is to find the effect of covered stomata on plant transpiration. The experiment was designed to examine the changes in texture of four Devil's Ivy leaves (Epipremnum aureus) affected by covered stomata and rate of transpiration. One leaf was completely coated with Vaseline gel. The second leaf was coated only on the front surface, while the third leaf was coated on the back surface with gel. The fourth leaf was left uncoated as a control variable. The four leaves were hung on a rope (50cm. long), 10cm. apart from each other. The leaves were exposed to the same amount of sunlight, temperature (32 degrees Celsius), and humidity (about 70 percent). The changes in the texture of the four leaves were observed over a one-week interval. The results showed slight loss of turgidity for the completely coated leaf, moderate flexibility and folding edges in partially covered leaves (front-surface and back-surface coated leaves), and tremendous flexibility, softness, and complete inward folding of the edges of the uncoated leaf. According to the results, it is concluded that the uncoated leaf with uncovered stomata had the higher rate of transpiration than the other completely and partially coated leaves. Introduction:
My summer garden
My summer garden As the weather warmed, so did my heart. I felt at peace and had a lack of responsibility that I took for granted. I wanted to get the most out of the all to short nirvana by spending my time in my garden, I liked my personal time there, to be alone with my thoughts and not having to care about anything, which I suppose may have seemed selfish. In the other seasons, my garden was either cold, wet or simply unappealing. But in the summer, it all came to life and a desire grew inside me to meet and greet the new energy flowing out of the plants and animals. As I strayed from my back door my soul would be overtaken by an assimilating force of warmth, sounds and sights all hitting me like a gust of wind. The corners of my mouth would turn up uncontrollably and I would forget everything. My mind would be intoxicated by the pure nature before me, and I had no desire to damage the boundless balance of the tiny forest. Before me would lie the carpet of grass, usually brown and withered, which would dampen my mood, but this morbid image would never overtake the entire stretch of grass. The sides of the garden would be lined with plants and flowers as high as me. There was not much variation of colour, but I was content with the lush greens of the large leaves. Overshadowing those were larger trees left to grow at their own will, they obscured the dull fence from
To investigate the soil type found at selected sites on the South West facing hillside and identify the factors important in the formation of the soil types found at these selected sites.
My Aim * To investigate the soil type found at selected sites on the South West facing hillside and identify the factors important in the formation of the soil types found at these selected sites. o Geographical processes that will determine the soil types found are weathering of the parent rock, mass movement and relief of the land. Since the Ercall is a steep hill mass movement will lead to deposition at the foot of the hill therefore making the soil here deeper. The steep hillside means leaching will take place in the mid slope forming podzolic soils while the foot of the hill will be waterlogged creating gleyed soil. * To investigate oak tree productivity and ground plant communities found at the selected soil sites. o Certain conditions are favourable for certain types of plants therefore depending on the different soil properties at each site different ground plant communities will be found. Oak tree productivity will also vary depending on the limiting factors found at the soil sites for example water logging. First hand data collection A stratified sampling method was used to select four different sites for soil data collection. This method was used as different rock types could be divided into subsets allowing a soil sample to be taken for each rock type. A Dutch auger was used at each site to bore into the soil. The soil removed showed the differences in
DeVries, Correns, and Tschermak.
Julie Solyar Honors Post-AP Advanced Topics in Biology Mr. Seigman December 11, 2003 DeVries, Correns, and Tschermak Three botanists, Hugo De Vries, Carl Erich Correns, and Erich Von Tschermark-Seysenegg, made possible for the spread and understanding of Mendel's work that has led to the modern understanding of the gene today. They re-discovered Mendel's laws in 1900 by independently working on plant hybrids. Their discoveries paved the way for the connection between Mendelian genetics and medicine, which was instigated by Archibald Garrod. This was complimented by greater discoveries in genetics, especially by Thomas Hunt Morgan, Herman J Muller, George Beadle, and Edward Tatum. Hugo de Vries (1848-1935) worked at the University of Amsterdam in 1880, as a professor of botany. Simultaneously, he worked on a series of genetic hybridization experiments. Working with the Oenothera lamarckiana (the evening primrose), de Vries was able to produce his theory of mutation. He agreed with discontinuous variation, staging that species evolve from other species by large sudden phenotypic changes. In his case, he noticed that a plant would usually have offspring that contained noteworthy differences from it such as leaf shape or plant size. These offspring would then occasionally pass these traits to their offspring. Ignoring that these traits observed in the primrose usually were
Effects of salinity in seed germination of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Hordeum vulgare
Effects of salinity in seed germination of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Hordeum vulgare Introduction Land and water are essential for agricultural production, when water supply is enough for the plants, then the quality of water, soil and environment is most important to the plants (Villagra and Cavagnaro 2005). For the purpose of this report, Salinity can be defined as the build-up of salts in the soil and water or other media, which also can affect plants germination and growth. Salt is effect to all living species, plants and animals are forced to suffer from caustic amounts of salt in the freshwater supplies. Salt significantly reduces some of salt sensitive plant growth, root and shoot growth are reduced and tip burn is increased. The reason of this is salts can produce decreased water uptake, instability in metabolism and nutrient ingestion (Villagra and Cavagnaro 2005). For example, strawberries, lettuce, and avocados are especially sensitive to salt content in their irrigation water (Branson and Gustafson 1971). Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003) states that salinity has gained prominence as a national environmental issue in recent years, and around 26,000 farmers have salinity problem and try to solve it on their properties in Australia. It can be seen clearly that society conform a serious environmental problem, which need more understanding of salinity
Spectroscopy of Fast Green Solution and Chlorophyll A and B
Spectroscopy of Fast Green Solution and Chlorophyll A and B Introduction The purpose of this lab is to be introduced to measure the concentration of an unknown solution using spectroscopy and to isolate the individual pigments of a chloroplast extract to measure the light absorption of chlorophyll A and B. Fast green is Light is a photon, a particle without mass however is a wave. (Petrucci, 2010) In these experiments the visible light spectrum having a wavelength between 400 nm to 700 nm was used. A spectrophotometer separates light into distinct bands of energy, allowing on to focus a particular band of energy to measure its absorption from 0 to 100%. (Jones et al., 2007) The spectrophotometer tells the observer the absorbance based on whatever wavelength one wants to find. (Jones et al., 2007) An essential part of observing a substance under a spectrophotometer is that of using a blank. The role of a blank and the spectrophotometer is to set the absorbance of the spectrophotometer to zero allowing the absorbance of one substance to be shown. (Jones et al., 2007) In experiment one; water was used as the blank. Based on the results from the spectrophotometer, on is able to make a concentration curve to find the concentration of the unknown solution. (Jones et al., 2007) A spectrophotometer is an instrument that measures the intensity of the light entering a sample and
Is there evidence of plant succession with the old abandoned quarry at Maddocks Hill?
Is there evidence of plant succession with the old abandoned quarry at Maddocks Hill? Aims Throughout this study the following aims should be met: * What plant communities can be identified along the transect in Maddocks Hill Quarry * How does the occurrence of plant species vary along the transect? * Is plant diversity limited to entopic factors such as pH and soil moisture? * Does light and structure of plant life forms vary along the transect? * Can a definite plant succession be identified along a transect? Hypothesis "There will be taller plant life forms and different plant communities along a transect from the outer to inner parts of Maddocks Hill Quarry". Background Plant succession, a definition; "The natural and gradual replacement of one plant community by another." The process may begin on solid rock, soil or water, the end result being generally a forest tolerant (able to grow in the shade) trees. The stages in between may include moss, annual weeds, grasses, brush and intolerant trees (needing full sunlight) and mid-tolerant trees. The stages vary depending on the site and the process may take centuries to complete. The Ercall - 68 ha OS Map Ref. SJ 640 096 This is an attractive site adjacent to Telford and is part owned by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Telford and Wrekin Borough Council. Both the Ercall and The Wrekin are a Site of Special
Reproduction, sexual or asexual, is a means of survival of a particular species on the face of a planet. Angiosperms have many ways of reproducing themselves. It is of no surprise that the sex organs of a plant are in their flowers.
Introduction: Reproduction, sexual or asexual, is a means of survival of a particular species on the face of a planet. Angiosperms have many ways of reproducing themselves. It is of no surprise that the sex organs of a plant are in their flowers. Two major organs being: ovary and the anthers. Pollen is found primarily on the anthers, pollen [male gametophyte] is so widespread that we can find it almost everywhere, in the air we breathe, the soil we walk on etc. Physically it looks like a yellow, white or blue powdery substance. Pollen develops within the anther and after attaining maturity falls [by the means of air currents etc] onto the receptive stigma. The stored 'goodies' and RNA kick into action and start the most probably the most rapid growth of any plant cell. A tube known as the pollen tube grows from each pollen grain. This pollen tube grows toward the embryo sac. Eventually two sperm cells are deposited into the embryo sac where they fuse with the egg and form a zygote. Pollen germination is one of the most important processes insuring that a zygote is formed and the plant species continues and does not become extinct. Pollen germination is the stage when the pollen falls on the stigma and start growing the pollen tube. This process is vital since the ovary is located at the very bottom of the anther and is concealed from all 4 sides, making it almost impossible
Describe the major pathways and transformations involved in the atmospheric transport of Sulphur, produced as SO2 in combustion processes. Outline the major impacts of SO2 upon plants.
Describe the major pathways and transformations involved in the atmospheric transport of Sulphur, produced as SO2 in combustion processes. Outline the major impacts of SO2 upon plants. Sulphur is an essential nutrient for normal plant growth and development. The primary source of Sulphur is from the soil in the form of sulphate (SO42-), which is taken up by the roots and translocated to the leaves where most of it is reduced and assimilated into organic sulphur compounds. An important primary source of sulphur can be found in the atmosphere. 15 molecular species of Sulphur are found in the atmosphere, according to Berresheim et al (1995). Plants unable to acquire all the sulphur they need from the soil are able to use SO2 from the atmosphere or other volatile compounds such as H2S.When more SO2 is taken up from the atmosphere by plants then is needed, plants are adversely effected. SO2 is considered the most important phytotoxic molecule. Originally most sulphur combustion was carried out in widely scattered domestic appliances, increasingly with introduction of Pollution Abatement Legislation, energy generation became localised in large centralised facilities, such as those designed to produce electricity. These attempted to improve the local environment around them by building taller and taller stacks to disperse the gases higher into the atmosphere. Consequently, gases
